Happy New Year! The Port of Seattle Celebrates its Centennial Year in 2011

Published: January 3, 2011

Today marks the first business day of the Port of Seattle's centennial year! Founded by King County citizens on September 5, 1911, the port has served the state as a global gateway for a century - creating jobs and economic growth for all of Washington and serving as a catalyst for the global trade that has driven the state's economy for generations.

"For 100 years, the port has generated jobs for families throughout King County," said Commission President Bill Bryant. "We're focused on ensuring our port generates sustainable jobs for another 100 years."

Several activities are planned to mark the anniversary:

· CentennialTimeline: Click here to see historical photos, learn about the particular histories of our facilities, see the events listings, and share your own port experiences.

· Documentary: Later this month, "Voices of the Port," a 30-minute documentary about the Port of Seattle's beginning, will air on local cable stations. The program will also be be posted on the port's website and YouTube site.

· Commemorative Book: The port has worked with HistoryLink to create a commemorative history of the organization with many wonderful maps and photos. The 130-page book will be published this spring, and will be available for purchase online.

· Century Agenda: 2011 will bring the conclusion of the Century Agenda program, a strategic planning process led by citizen panelists to chart the course for the port's next 25 years.

There will be numerous other centennial-themed events throughout the year including Earth Day celebrations, a bike rally in June, Maritime Festival, Fishermen's Fall Festival, and the American Association of Port Authorities annual convention, which will be hosted in Seattle in September. Click here anytime for an updated calendar of events.

Beginning this month, the port is also hosting a Video Contest for Schools, where King County students can get creative and show us "What the Port Means to Me." Prizes between $4,000 and $6,000 will be awarded to the schools whose students submit the best videos as selected by a panel of community judges. There will also be a "People's Choice" award so anyone can choose their favorites from among the videos posted online.

For a century, Seattle has been a port city - a global gateway that sends Washington goods to markets across the globe. Join in the many celebrations of this significant milestone. Happy Centennial!